These days the Land Rover Defender is best known for navigating London’s W1 postcode, but that wasn’t always the case. I remember a time when the Defender was the vehicle of choice for hardcore expeditions, and none were more iconic than the those featured in the Camel Trophy. These events pitted the Defender against some of the toughest environments on earth, and played a huge role in the vehicle’s global reputation for all-terrain performance and dependability. Yesterday Land Rover North America announced an exciting new limited production Defender Trophy Edition with an adventure competition, held at the legendary Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, included with purchase.
Inspired by the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy (a limited edition of 25 re-engineered classic Defenders), the Trophy Edition seeks to continue the same spirit of adventure for the North American market. Based on the 22MY Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE, the Defender Trophy Edition is more than just a unique vehicle wrap. The new model showcases Extended Black Exterior Pack, tow hitch receiver, ClearSight RearView, Air Suspension Pack, Cold Climate Pack, 11.4 inch Touchscreen, Off-road pack, and advanced Off-road Capability Pack. Vehicle upgrades are provided alongside a selection of overlanding accessories, including an expedition roof rack, front undershield, deployable ladder, winch installation kit, mud flaps, integrated air compressor, deep sided and loadspace rubber mats. In other words, the Trophy Edition is more than just a show pony, and is optimised for all-terrain performance, whilst incorporating purposeful accessories for off-grid vehicle travel.
220 Defender Trophy Edition vehicles will be sold exclusively in the U.S, and each will include the opportunity for a two-person entry to a one-day off-road adventure in the Land Rover U.S. Trophy Competition. The event will allow up to ninety teams to compete at the Biltmore Estate, with on and off-road challenges that include physical and team building exercises. The overall winning team will go on to compete at The Land Rover Trophy Competition at Eastnor Castle in the UK, the spiritual home of Land Rover testing and development. Furthermore, the event will offer team members one-on-one coaching from experts to develop extreme driving techniques and skills in their own vehicle, before putting this training to the test.
Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, states: “The Defender Trophy Edition evokes the spirit of adventure with an array of off-road accessories and special features created for the ultimate Land Rover enthusiast. We’re looking forward to putting on a memorable adventure competition for our Defender Trophy Edition customers that will not only put these vehicles to the test but will also create a special shared experience honouring the rich heritage of the Land Rover brand.”
It’s exciting to see Land Rover hark back to the Camel Trophy era, and I’m keen to see how the new model’s mechanical upgrades and expedition accessories enhance this already capable vehicle. At $90,000 I’m not sure many owners will be pushing their limited production Defender’s to the limit, but I’m sure the adventure competition will give us a taste of the new model’s go anywhere performance.
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